EP2591304B1 - Military vehicle having a rollover protection element and method for reducing the vehicle height of a military vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle with a rollover protection on which a directional weapon is arranged and a method for reducing the vehicle height of a vehicle with a rollover protection, on which a directable weapon is arranged.

On military and police vehicles, structures such as e.g. directable weapons, sensors, antennas, especially radar antennas or extinguishing devices arranged.

Dirigible weapons are usually mounted in an elevated position to allow the widest possible range of the weapon. In particular, in vehicles having an open-top crew compartment, it is known to arrange a directable weapon on a rollover protection, in particular a roll bar. In this case, the weapon forms the uppermost point of the vehicle and increases the vehicle height in comparison with a similar vehicle without a weapon.

In order to transport the vehicle to its place of use, it is necessary in many cases to reduce the vehicle height in order to comply with a Verlademaß. For example, the maximum allowable height for transport in a helicopter or aircraft is less than the height that the vehicle is in Use has. Here, the structures may prove annoying. In this context, it is known to disassemble the projecting up out of the vehicle weapon. For this purpose, the weapon is taken apart as a whole or in their components from the rollover protection. The weapon or its loose components must be stowed when loading the vehicle in the vehicle and removed when unloading the vehicle again from the vehicle.

From the DE 103 23 076 A1 For example, a vehicle with a rollover protection is known, which can be lowered from an elevated working position to a lower loading position. From the US 2010/052273 A1 a vehicle is known in which a rollover protection can be removed to reduce the vehicle height.

When loading the vehicle, in particular during the transfer of the vehicle from the operating state to the transport state with reduced vehicle height, it has proven to be disadvantageous that the disassembly of the weapon is time-consuming. During the removal of the weapon and possibly the stowing of the weapon or its loose components, the weapon also can not be used. A similar problem arises when unloading the vehicle, for example, from a helicopter or an aircraft. In this case, the weapon can be used only after the time-consuming installation on the rollover protection.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a vehicle of the above type, which can be quickly transferred from a use state in a transport state with reduced vehicle height.

This object is achieved in a vehicle of the type mentioned, that the rollover protection for the reduction of the vehicle height from a Use position can be lowered into a transport position, the rollover protection is lowered together with the weapon and wherein the weapon is lower than a highest point of the vehicle in the transport position.

With the help of a retractable rollover protection, the time to reduce the vehicle height can be shortened. It is not necessary to disassemble individual components and stow them in the vehicle. Thus, the, in particular military, vehicle can be quickly brought from a use state in a Transpartzustand in which it has a reduced vehicle height. Thus, the vehicle can be invited quickly. The rollover protection can be designed in particular as a lowerable roll bar.

According to the rollover protection together with a structure, namely a weapon, lowered. The need for disassembly of the structure or its components is eliminated. The fact that no parts of the structure, the rollover protection or the vehicle must be removed, the vehicle can be transferred very quickly from the use state in the transport state and in particular also vice versa. In this case, a weapon can be scaffolded during the lowering. Therefore, such a configuration is particularly suitable for the arrangement of a weapon on the roll bar.

Furthermore, the structure, in particular the weapon, in the transport position according to the invention is lower than a highest point of the vehicle. The fact that the structure in the transport position is not the highest point of the vehicle, the vehicle height can be reduced. In contrast to the deployment position, in which the structure can represent the highest point of the vehicle, the structure in the transport position can be inside or to the side of the vehicle contour.

As a particularly advantageous embodiment, in which the structure, in particular the weapon, is ready for use in the transport position of the rollover protection. As a result, the vehicle is able to defend even after lowering the rollover protection in the transport position. For example, the crew of the vehicle when loading even after lowering the rollover protection in the transport position still fire with a gun and defend itself in the period between the receipt of the transport condition and the actual loading.

In a further structural embodiment, the rollover protection is pivotable about a substantially horizontally extending pivot axis. In this case, the pivotable part of the rollover protection may be directed in its operating position both to the front of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle or the vehicle side. For transfer to the transport position of the rollover protection can be pivoted in a lowered position. In particular, the rollover protection can be located completely in the transport position as well as in the deployment position on the vehicle front side facing the pivot axis. The pivot axis may preferably be arranged below the vehicle upper edge in the transport position. In order to achieve a small pivoting angle and thus a small pivoting path, the pivot axis can be arranged as far away from the highest point of the structure, in particular the weapon, in the operating position.

Preferably, the rollover protection is articulated at two articulation points to the pivot axis. The articulation points can be arranged in the region of the edges between the vehicle upper side and the vehicle longitudinal sides. This allows safe storage of the roll bar both in the operating position and in the transport position.

In an alternative embodiment, the rollover protection in a substantially vertical direction, in particular translationally, be lowered. For example, the rollover protection can be guided by substantially vertically extending guide elements.

In an advantageous embodiment, the rollover protection is supported in the insertion position on a support, in particular a window protection bracket from. The rollover protection can be safely held by the support in its operating position. In a support designed as a window guard, the support can be designed as a frame of a transparent pane, in particular of bulletproof glass.

Particularly advantageous is an embodiment in which the rollover protection is supported with the freely pivotable end of the support. This allows a large area protected by rolling over of the vehicle between the support and the pivot axis.

Preferably, the support is movable, preferably pivotable, in particular for releasing the Absenkweges the rollover protection. By releasing the Absenkweges the rollover protection can be located both in the operating position and in the transport position on the same side of the vehicle with respect to the pivot axis. The rollover protection does not have to be pivoted beyond the pivot axis on the other side of the vehicle to get into the transport position. This results in a particularly short pivoting.

Furthermore, the vehicle may have a, in particular upwardly open, crew room. This allows crew members to board and disembark quickly, allowing them to interact in a particularly simple manner to connect with the vehicle environment. In addition, items can be loaded and unloaded quickly.

Alternatively, the crew room can also be executed at least partially closed. It can be attached to the rollover protection parts of the outer skin of the crew room. In order to increase the protection of the crew members, the outer skin parts may be designed as armored plates. In addition, it is possible that parts of the outer skin are releasably secured to the roll bar to allow the lowering of the rollover protection in the transport position. Furthermore, the outer skin parts can also be pivoted to the rollover protection.

In an advantageous embodiment, the rollover protection in the transport position is at least partially in the crew room, especially on the ground supporting. While the rollover protection is in its operating position, provides for the located in the crew room items and persons a protection against injury. Since the crew compartment in the transport state of the vehicle is not usually used by persons other than the driver and only short distances are covered, the rollover protection can be lowered in the transport position in the crew compartment. As a result, no separate space for keeping the rollover protection in the transport position must be kept. Furthermore, the rollover protection in the transport position can engage in a, in particular positive, recording in the crew compartment.

Preferably, the rollover protection and / or the structure, in particular the weapon, in the transport position is at least partially between two seats of the vehicle. As a result, the seats, in particular the driver and front passenger seats, can also be used in the transport position. The vehicle stays still able to drive in the transport position. Furthermore, such an arrangement also allows easy operability of the weapon in the transport position by a crew member in the driver or passenger seat.

In an advantageous embodiment, a ring carriage for supporting the structure, namely a weapon, is arranged on the rollover protection. The ring mount allows rotation of the weapon about a substantially vertical axis. The effective range of the weapon thus encompasses the entire vehicle environment. Preferably, the weapon is additionally directable in azimuth and elevation.

In a structural embodiment, the vehicle is characterized in that the structure, namely a weapon, is connected via an obliquely upwardly extending carrier with the rollover protection, wherein the carrier is in the transport state substantially in the horizontal. In the operational position of the rollover protection, the gun attached to the obliquely upwardly extending support can project upwards beyond the rollover protection. In the transport position, however, the weapon may be directed substantially forward. As a result, the weapon can also be used in the transport state with a limited effective range.

Furthermore, the object is achieved with a method mentioned in that the rollover protection is lowered from a use position to a transport position, said rollover protection is lowered together with the weapon and the weapon in the transport position lower than a highest point of the vehicle is located.

By lowering the rollover protection, the time to reduce the vehicle height can be shortened. It is not necessary individual components dismantle and stow them in the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can be quickly brought from a use state to a transportation state in which it has a reduced vehicle height. Thus, the vehicle can be invited quickly. The rollover protection can be designed in particular as a lowerable roll bar.

Incidentally, the advantageous embodiments described in connection with the vehicle according to the invention can also be used in the method according to the invention.

In addition, all described above with reference to trained as a directional weapon training embodiments of the invention can also be applied accordingly for other structures.

Fig. 1

in seitlicher Ansicht eine Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs im Einsatzzustand,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht eines Fahrzeugs im Einsatzzustand von oben,

Fig. 3

in seitlicher Ansicht eine Darstellung des Fahrzeugs im Transportzustand,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Fahrzeugs im Einsatzzustand und

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Fahrzeugs im Transportzustand.

Further details and advantages of the vehicle and the method for reducing the vehicle height are explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

in side view a representation of a vehicle in the operating condition,

Fig. 2

a view of a vehicle in the use state from above,

Fig. 3

in lateral view a representation of the vehicle in the transport state,

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the vehicle in the use state and

Fig. 5

a perspective view of the vehicle in the transport state.

In the Fig. 1 is shown a military vehicle, which is suitable for example for the transport of special forces. The vehicle 1 has a laterally open crew compartment 8, in which seats 11 are arranged for the crew. Furthermore, the crew compartment 8 is also open at the top and is bounded above only by a rollover protection 2 designed as a roll bar.

The rollover protection 2 is constructed of steel pipes and protects the crew located in the crew compartment 8 in the event of rollover of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the rollover protection 2 also provides protection against larger falling from above parts and can by the crew members as a handle to help getting up from the seats 11th of the crew room 8 are used.

The rollover protection 2 is pivotable about a substantially horizontally extending pivot axis A pivotally mounted on the vehicle chassis in the rear of the crew compartment 8. In the front area of the crew compartment 8, the rollover protection 2 is supported at its freely pivotable end on a support. The support is designed as a window guard 4, which is pivotally hinged to the vehicle chassis. The window guard 4 is just like the rollover protection 2 made of a steel tube and additionally includes a protective screen made of transparent material such as bulletproof glass.

Further, the vehicle 1 comprises a further window protection bracket 5 which is arranged on the side of the passenger and with a steel frame comprises a bulletproof glass pane. In the illustration in Fig. 1 is the second window protection bracket 5 pivoted forward on the hood of the vehicle 1 to allow the passenger, for example, the application of a Sekundärwäffe 10, such as a machine gun, directed towards the window protection bracket 5 forward.

At the rollover protection 2, a structure is arranged: At the top of the vehicle 1 designed as a machine gun weapon 3 is connected via an obliquely upwardly extending support 6 with the rollover protection 2. This primary weapon 3 forms the highest point of the vehicle 1 and is thus decisive for the determination of the vehicle height H. The rollover protection 2 thus forms the carrier for the carriage of the weapon. 3

Like in the Fig. 2 shown, a ring mount 7 is arranged on the rollover protection 2. In the ring of the ring carriage 7 engages the carrier 3 connected to the weapon 6 a. By means of the ring mount 7, the weapon 3 can be aligned in all directions of the vehicle surroundings in azimuth. In order to allow a great flexibility in the alignment of the weapon 3, the weapon 3 is also about two further, substantially horizontal and vertical pivot axes 12, 13 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) pivotable.

For loading the vehicle 1 in a helicopter or an aircraft, the cargo space has a limited height, the vehicle 1 can in a in Fig. 3 transferred transport state are transferred. For this purpose, the rollover protection from in the Fig. 1 shown insertion position together with the armored weapon 3 in the in Fig. 3 shown transport position can be lowered.

Thus, the rollover protection 2 can be lowered to reduce the vehicle height H from its Einssatzstellung in the transport position, the serving as a support window protection bracket 4 must first be pivoted forward to the hood of the vehicle 1. As a result, the window guard 4 releases the lowering path of the rollover protection 2 and thus only allows the rollover protection 2 to be lowered.

Like from the Fig. 3 As can be seen, the weapon 3 in the transport position, in contrast to the insertion position is no longer the highest point of the vehicle 1. Rather, the weapon 3 is deeper in the transport position than the highest point of the vehicle. The weapon 3 is also ready for use in the transport position of the rollover protection 2 and can deliver shots in a reduced range of action.

In its lowered position, the upper steel tube of the rollover protection 2 encloses an angle α with the horizontal. This angle α corresponds to the angle to which the carrier 6 with the horizontal, in particular the top of the rollover protection 2, includes.

In addition, the rollover protection 2 is in the transport position in the crew compartment 8 of the vehicle 1 and is supported in the region of the floor of the crew compartment 8 with the freely pivotable end. Alternatively, the freely pivotable end of the rollover protection 2 can be received positively in a receptacle in the region of the bottom. In any case, the rollover protection 2 is designed such that it is in the transport position at least partially between the two front seats 11 of the vehicle 1. Thereby, the driver's seat can be used in the transport position of the rollover protection 2 and thus moves the vehicle in the transport state is, cf. Fig. 5 , The fact that the weapon 3 is in the transport position at least partially between the two front seats of the vehicle, the weapon 3 can be easily operated even in the transport position.

The rollover protection 2 is divided into three sections, each having the shape of a tube, see. Fig. 2 , While the rollover protection 2 in the front region has a substantially straight portion, the two rear portions are designed as curved legs, of which the ring mount 7 is enclosed. The leg-shaped portions of the rollover protection 2 are articulated to the pivot axis A at two articulation points in the rear region of the crew compartment 8. In the front area, the straight pipe section of the rollover protection 2 is supported on the support 4.

In the Fig. 4 the equipped with throwing bodies 14 vehicle 1 is shown in the use state in a perspective view. In the crew room 8 below the rollover protection 2 are three crew members in their seats. To operate the weapon 3, the rear crew member can get up and relate in an upright position in the opening of the ring carriage 7 position. On the left side seen in the firing direction of the weapon 3, a removable ammunition magazine 9 is attached. Alternatively, the ammunition magazine 9 can also be arranged on the right side of the weapon 3 seen in the direction of firing. In this case, the ammunition magazine 9 remain when lowering the rollover protection 2 on the weapon 3.

In the in Fig. 5 shown perspective view of the vehicle 1 in the transport state, the roll bar 2 is in its transport position. Both the rollover protection 2 and the weapon 3 are lowered between the two front seats 11 of the vehicle 1. In this illustration, the ammunition magazine 9 is removed from the weapon 3. There is also a Crew member in the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 to drive the vehicle 1 in a transport vehicle.

The described vehicle 1 and the method for reducing the vehicle height H allow the vehicle to be quickly shifted from a deployed condition to a transportation condition. It is not necessary to disassemble individual components and to stow them in the vehicle 1. Thus, the vehicle 1 can be invited quickly and is also quickly ready for use after unloading.

In an alternative embodiment of the vehicle 1 detachable armored plates can be attached to the rollover protection 2, which form the outer skin of an at least partially closed crew compartment. Furthermore, the outer skin parts can also be pivoted to the rollover protection.

Instead of or in addition to directable weapon can be arranged on the rollover protection of the vehicle 1, another technical device as a structure, such as a sensor, an antenna, in particular a radar antenna or an extinguishing device.

The rollover protection 2 is arranged substantially in the middle of the vehicle 1. It thus represents a stiffening in the manner of a B-pillar.

Reference numerals:

1

vehicle

2

Überrolischutz

3

weapon

4

Window guards

5

Window guards

6

carrier

7

ring mount

8th

flight deck

9

ammunition magazine

10

Secondary weapons

11

seats

12

horizontal swivel axis

13

vertical pivot axis

14

projectile

A

swivel axis

H

vehicle height

Claims (13)

1. Vehicle with a directable weapon (3) and rollover protection (2) on which the directable weapon (3) is placed, wherein the rollover protection (2) can be lowered from a use position into a transport position for reduction of the vehicle height (H),
   characterised in that
   the rollover protection (2) can be lowered together with the weapon (3) and in the transport position the weapon (3) is below a highest point of the vehicle (1).
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that the weapon (3) is ready for use even in the transport position of the rollover protection (2).
3. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) is pivotable around an essentially horizontal pivot axis (A).
4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) is connected at two connection points to the pivot axis (A).
5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) in the use position rests on a support (4), particulary a protective window frame (4).
6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) rests with the freely pivotable end on the support (4).
7. Vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the support (4) is movable, in particular for releasing the lowering range of the rollover bar (2).
8. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vehicle comprises a crew area (8) that is particulary open at the top.
9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) in the transport position is at least partially arranged in the crew area (8), especially resting on the floor.
10. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) and/or the weapon (3) in the transport position is at least partially arranged between two seats of the vehicle (1).
11. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rollover protection (2) has a ring mount (7) to carry the weapon (3).
12. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the weapon (3) is connected with the rollover bar (2) through an obliquely upwardly extending carrier (6), characterised in that the carrier (6) in the transport is position essentially in the horizontal plane.
13. Method for reducing the height of a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, with a rollover bar (2) on which a directable weapon (3) is placed, wherein the upper rollover bar (2) is lowered from a use position to a transport position,
    characterised in that
    the rollover bar (2) is lowered together with the weapon (3) and the weapon (3) in the transport position is lower than the highest point of the vehicle (1).

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